Controller.



Patented Aug. 7, |900.

E. M. FRASER.

C 0 N T R 0 L L E R (Application led July 20, 1899.

(No Model.)

mi Nonms wetens no., nwotauno., wnswmufou. D. c.

UNITED STATES FATENT Orrrcn.

ETI'IELBERT M. FRASER, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY, OF

NEV JERSEY.

CONTROLLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 655,336, dated .August '7, 1900.

Application filed July 20, 1899. Serial Nc. 724,541. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, t may concern:

Beit known that I, ETHELBERT M. FRASER, of the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Controllers, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved mechanism for closing or opening one or several electric circuits. My invention is such that the circuits can be completed or interrupted only when conditions that have been previously Vdetermined upon have been complied with.

I specially refer to the accompanying draw-- ings for a detailed description of my invention and make them partof this specification.

In the drawings, Figure lis a front elevation of the controller device with cover cut off. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of my device with the cover on. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line a: x of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a broken detailed view showing the rear side of the operating-lever and parts thereto attached. Fig. 5 is a cross-section on the line y y of Fig. et.

Throughout this specification and the drawings similar letters and numerals of reference refer to similar parts.

The different working parts of my controller device are held in'place and insulated from one another and from 'other objects by being attached to a slab of slate A, which slab is held within a niet-al frame B, as shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3. The frame B may be fastened against a wall or wherever it is desired to locate the controller. The slab of slate A entirely fills the inside of the frame B and is fastened within it by screws l, which pass through said slab and through a flange 2 of the frame B, that extends inwardly.

A metal cover C is hinged to one side of the frame B by anysuitable form of hinge 3, and said cover is so constructed that when it is closed it hides most of the working parts of my controller from view, keeps out dust, and serves as a general protection. This cover C is kept closed by any suitable catch. The catch shown in the drawings consists of a nut 4 on the stud 5, that screws into the frame B and passes through a lip 6, formed on the cover C.

A board or plate D is set in a suitable recess in the back of the frame B and forms a back for the entire apparatus. It is set back of the slab'A, and its function is to protect the wire connections and heads of the various bolts and nuts used to hold the working parts in place on said slab.

Two hollow projections E and F extend from the bottom of the frame B and lead into the space between the slab A and the back D. Thro ugh them pass the wires that are attached to the various contactwpoints of my device.

Two single-pole double-brake switches G and I-I are pivoted to the slab A by the bolts 7, which pass through said switches and through the slab A, as best shown in Fig. 3. The switch G is adapted to work in connection with the contact-blocks J and K and the switch H with the blocks L and M. These contact-blocks are fastened to the slab A by screws or bolts 8 and are connected with an outside circuit. The switches G and H are a few inches apart, so that when they are down and pointing in directly-opposite directions the little bends or heels 9 and 10 on their inner ends will just meet. These switches are knife-switches, and each one is made in three pieces-K-vz., the part l1, through which the bolt 7 passes; theinsulation-,piece 12, that is fastened to the outer end of part 1l by the screws or rivets 13, and the knife 14., which engages the contact-blocks and is fastened to this insulation-piece by the screws or rivets l5. The insulation-piece, it will be seen, makes it impossible for the electricity from the contact-blocks to pass from one switch to the other and to the operating-lever N, hereinafter described. When not acted upon by the lever N, the switches are held down in the position shown in Fig. 3 by the coil-springs 1G'a'nd 17. These springs, respectively, are attached to lugs 18 and 19 on the switches Gand H and to the outer ends of bars 2O and 2l below. The bars 2O and 21 are formed on opposite sides of 'a knob 22, cast with the frame B and projecting inwardly therefrom. Each of the contact-blocks J, K, L, and M is provided at its upper part with two laterally-movable and spring-pressed plates 23 and 24. These plates are held in place in each instance by a bolt 25, that passes through said upper part of each IOO block and through both pla-tes thereof and extends forward to receive the spiral spring 2G, which is wrapped around said bolt. The outer end of each of the springs 26 bears against a nut 27 on the outer end of its bolt 25, and the inner end bears against the front surface ofthe outer plate 24C, thus keeping the two movable parts of each contact block snugly together in such a way that the adjoining surfaces of the upper ends of the inevable parts 23 and 2-1 of each contact-block will leave but a narrow opening between them to receive the knife part 1st of either switch. The purpose of this construction of the switches and contact-bloeks is to form a more perfect electrical connection when either switch is closed. The coil-springs 16 and 17 being permitted to bring the switches down into the narrow opening between the movable plates of the contact-blocks, they force the said movable plates apart, but the spiral springs 26, around. the bolts 25, are all the time exerting a stress to keep them close together. Thus the knife le of each switch is pinched and snugly held between these two movable parts of each contact-block. These contact-blocks and switches, it will be understood,may be of any desired construction; but the blocks and switches above described are preferred. However, I do not limit my invention in this regard.

The lever N is the means by which the switches G and H are operated. Speaking in a general way, this lever consists of a frame 2S, a rod 29, that works within the frame 28 and acts upon the heels 9 and 10 of the switches and which is held down normally by a strong spiral spring 30,and tongue-springs 31 and 32, with shoes 33 and 34, that work, respectively, upon the contact-buttons 35 36 and the arcshaped contact-plates 37 3S. The frame 28 of the lever N is pivoted to the knob 22 by the stud 39, that passes through a hub 40 on the lower end of said lever-frame and screws into said knob. This frame 28 extends upward and passes through an opening 41 in the upper part of the cover O. Said opening extends clear across the top of the cover, so as to allow the lever N to swing from side to side on its said pivot.

The switches G and H are controlled by a controller, which on its descent lifts and opens the switches and on rising permits the switches to close and engage their contacts. This controller is shown as comprising a rod 29, which passes down, as before indicated, within the lever-'frame 2S and has a crook 42 upon its upper end within the handle t3 of the lever N, so that it may easily be grasped and raised by the hand. The rod is provided with a lug et-lon its lower end adapted to engage the heels 9 and 10 of the switches G and H, and it is also provided at its upper end with a latch 45. The lug 44 is secured to the rod 29 by a set-screw 4:6 and projects backward through the slot 4-7 in the frame of the lever. The latch 45 is also fastened to said rod by a set-screw 48 and extends backward through the slot 49 in the lever-frame, all of which is best shown in Fig. The rod 29 is kept normally down by the spiral spring 30, above mentioned, which is wrapped around it and bears above on the upper part of the lever-frame and below is seated on the washer 50. This washer rests upon a pin 5l, passing through said rod 29, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. Vhen lthe lever is at the median point of the arc through which it moves, as represented in Fig. l, and the rod 29 is not raised by hand, the lug -14 bears upon the back ends of the switches G and H and they are opened. The latch 45 above is at thc same time caught in a notch formed to receive it, as at 52, in a flange or rail 53 on the upper part of the frame B, so as to prevent the lever being moved before the rod 29 is raised. l/Vhen the rod 29 is raised, it removes the pressure of the lug ist upon the tails of the switches G and H and allows the springs 16 and 17 to pull the said switches down and close the circuits. It also raises the latch 4.5 and allows the lever N to be swung to the right or left. When once moved from the median point of the levers arc, the latch 4.5 rests upon the flange 53, formed for the purpose on the upper end of the frame B, and prevents the rod 29 from falling and again opening the switches.

A metal plate 54 is fastened to the back of the lever-frame 2S by the screws 55 and 50, but is insulated from said lever-frame by the insulation-pieces 57 and 5S. The tonguesprings 3l and 3" are fastened to the lower part of this plate by the rivets 59 and 60 and extend upward. The tongue 3l carries the shoe 33, that is riveted to it and is adapted to bear upon the contact-buttons and 3 The tongue 32 is somewhat shorter than tongue 31 and carries the shoe 34, which is riveted to it and bears upon the arc-shaped contact-plates 37 and 3S. Thebuttons 35 and 36 andthe plates 37 and 3S are screwed to the slate A and separately connected by suitable wires to the electric circuit. Thus the electric current is allowed to pass from one series of these wires through the tonguespring connected with it to the back plate 5t to the other tongue-springand thence to the other wires.

' As will have been noticed, niyinvention opcrates with but a single lever. Vshen this lever is at the median point of the arc in which it moves, the switches which it operates are opened through the agency of the spring-pressed rod that is connected with it, and nothing can close them until said rod is raised so as to disengage its latch from the notch in the rim of the frame B and relieve the switches of the pressure from its lug elet. *When the spring-pressed rod and its latch and lug are raised, the switches arc closed, and then, but not until then, the level' can be swung to one side or the other over the contact buttons and plates, and nothing can open IIO IZO

the switches until the lever is brought back to the middle of its arc and the latch and lug on the rod allow the latch to fall back into its notch and the lug to press again upon the switches. Thus the invention precludes the possibility ot' the electric current being turned on or oft and the lever moved at unseasonable times or in ony other way but that which was intended.

My invention is not limited to one or two switches. Any number may be similarly connected with the lever and work as well.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. The combination with one or more coutact-blocks and one or more spring-actuated switches, of a spring-actuated counteracting device of a force superior to the switchsprings, and means for preventing the operation of the switch or switches before the counteracting device, substantially as described.

2. The combination with one or more contact-blocks and one or more spring-actuated switches, of a spring-actuated counteracting device, and stop devices limiting the action of said device to a definite position, substantially as described.

3. The combination with one or more contact-blocks and one or more spring-actuated switches, of a circuit-controlling lever, and a counteracting device of a'force superior to the switch-springs,substantially as described.

4L. The combination with one or more contact-blocks and one or more spring-actuated switches, of an operating-lever, a counteracting device carried by said lever of a force superior to the switch-springs, and stop devices limiting the action of the counteracting device to a definite position of the lever, substantially as described.

5. The combination with one or more contact-blocks and one or more spring-actuated switches, of au operating-lever, a spring-actuated counteracting device connected to move with said lever of a force superior to the switch-springs, and stop devices limiting the action of the counteracting device to a de.- nite position of the lever, substantially as described.

6. The combination with one or more auto'- matic switches respectively adapted to close contact with a contact-block, of a springpressed rod operating to open the switch or switches, and means for keeping said rod in a given position while the switch or switches are open, substantially as described.

7. The combination with one or more pivoted switches adapted to close contact with one or more contact-blocks, of a switch-controller and means to force it down upon one end of the switch or switches, substantially as described.

8. The combination with one or more electric switches, of a swinging controller controlling the opening and closing thereof, said controller carrying a latch, and devices cooperating with the latch and controlling the movement of the controller, substantially as described.

9. The combination with one or more electric switches, of a swinging controller controlli-ng the opening and closing thereof, a latch'connected with said controller, devices cooperating with said latch and limiting the movement thereof, and means for preventing the operation of the controller except when the latch is in a denite position, substan tially as described.

10. The combination with one or more spring-actuated switches adapted to normally close contact with one or more contact-blocks, of a counteracting device for the switches, an operating-lever, a series of contacts controlled by the operatinglever,and connections between theoperating-lever and the counteracting device whereby the switches must be closed before the operatinglever can be moved, substantially as described.

11. The combination with one or more spring-actuated switches, of an operatinglever, contacts controlled thereby, a counteracting device connected to said lever and controlling the switches, and means for insuring the action of the counteracting device before the lever can be operated, substantially as described.

12. The combination with one or more switches, of an operating-lever, contacts controlled by the operating-lever, a counteract-- ing device for the switches connected to the operating-lever, a latch connected to the counteracting device, and means cooperating with the latch whereby the movement of the operating-lever is prevented until the counteracting devicekassumes a deiinite position, substantially as described.

13. The combination with one or more spring-actuated switches, of a swinging operating-lever, contacts cooperating therewith, connecting mechanism between the swinging operating-lever and the switches operating to stop said lever at a given point in its arc of` oscillation while the switch or switches remain in a given position, substantially as described.

14. The combination with one or more spring-actuated switches, of a swinging operating-lever, contacts cooperating therewith, a spring-actuated counteracting device for the switches connectedwith the lever, a latch connected with the counteractloc IIO

ing device, and means cooperating with the counteracting device, substantially as described.

16. The combination of one or more con tact-blocks, one or more switches, a lever adapted to make an electric contact, and a device controlling both the working of the switch or switches and the movement of said lever, substantially as described.

17. The combination of one or more contact-blocks, one or more spring -actuated switches, a lever adapted to make an electrical contact, and a spring-pressed rod controlling said lever, said rod having a lug adapted to move the switch or switches, substantially as described.

18. The combination of one or more contact-blocks, one or more switches, a notched rail, a lever adapted to make an electrical contact, a spring-pressed rod connected with said lever and operating to open the switch or switches, said rod having a latch adapted to engage the notch in said rail, and means for closing said switch or switches upon the latch being disengaged from said notch, substantially as described.

19. The combination of one or more contactblocks, one or more spring actuated switches, a lever adapted to make an electrical Contact, a notched rail, and a springpressed rod connected with said lever, said rod having a lug adapted to bear on the switch or switches and a latch adapted to engage the notch in said rail, the arrangement being such that the switch or switches will close upon the latch being disengaged from said notch and before the lever can be moved, and the lever must be brought back to the starting-point and the latch allowed again to engage the notch in the rail before the switch or switches can be opened, substantially as described.

20. The combination with one or more pairs of pivoted switches and means for closing the same, of a springpressed rod adapted to act upon both or all of said switches and open them simultaneously, substantially as described.

2l. The combination of a frame, a lever pivoted on a central line therein, contact buttons and plates located on opposite sides of said lever, shoes carried by the lever and arranged so as to bear respectively on said buttons and plates, spring-actuated switches, a spring-pressed rod connected with the lever, said rod having a lug adapted to bear on said switches and work them together and a latch adapted to engage a notch in a part of the frame, and suitable electrical connections, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

ETHELBERT DI. FRASER. [1.. s]

lVitnesses:

L. C. FRASER, A. Il. STE MARIE. 

